In 1883, when Rider College was celebrating its 18th anniversary, Andrew J. Rider reflected on the progress the institution had made and looked forward to what lie ahead. “The future is full of promise,” he said.

Now celebrating its 150th anniversary, Rider University sees the fulfillment of that promise every day as our students and alumni grow and shine. Through a commitment to high quality teaching, scholarship and experiential opportunities, faculty on both campuses provide undergraduate and graduate students rigorous and relevant programs of study to expand their intellectual, cultural and personal horizons and develop their leadership skills.

Completing a decade of unprecedented growth and refurbishment of the Lawrenceville campus and the opening of the Marion Buckelew Cullen Center on the Westminster campus, Rider continues to fulfill the promise.

All events are subject to change. Please check back for any changes and/or updates to all activities.

The listed programs are only a sampling of planned events; other programs are scheduled and will be added.

A yearlong celebration!

Rider honored its 150 anniversary by commemorating the past, celebrating the present and looking forward to the future during a yearlong celebration that kicked off in September 2014. The sesquicentennial built on Rider’s position as a leader in American higher education that is celebrated for educating talented students for life and career success in a diverse and interdependent world. The many signature events and noteworthy moments included a lecture by Pulitzer Prize winner Doris Kearns Goodwin, a Guinness World Record, Sesquicentennial Medals of Excellence and a 150th Gala.

We're proud to share a short video compilation of these memorable events. The soundtrack to this video is our brand new alma mater that was commissioned during the celebration.

At the time of his retirement, we wish to recognize Dr. Rozanski’s outstanding service to the University and our students by continuing his mission to invest in student scholarships by raising more than $1.5 million. In the year of our 150th anniversary, supporting scholarships is more critical than ever. Your decision to give to the President Rozanski Sesquicentennial Scholarship signifies an investment in the future of our Rider students.

“Today, the quality of a Rider education, the dedication of our community, the talent of our students and the successes of our alumni are all a testament to the rich history we share. Our programs are distinctive and of the highest quality and we can look back on our last 150 years with pride and to our future with confidence."

- President Mordechai Rozanski

Sesquicentennial Gala

More than 300 friends, faculty, staff, students and alumni attended the University’s Sesquicentennial Gala on April 18, 2015. Held in the Cavalla Room of the Bart Luedeke Center, the gala featured dinner, dancing and a special tribute to retiring President Mordechai Rozanski, as well all of the recipients of Rider’s Sesquicentennial Medal of Excellence.

Rider breaks Guinness World Record

On Saturday, Nov. 8, Rider University undertook its first ever Guinness World Records attempt to create the world’s Longest Line of Fruits. Six hours and 10,036 cranberries later, the University and hundreds of students, staff, alumni and friends who painstakingly strung the giant string of fruit were named official Guinness World Record holders.

The world record attempt, a highlight of Rider’s 150th anniversary celebration, was a way to honor the University’s founder and namesake, Andrew J. Rider, a cranberry farmer who introduced the cranberry to the queen of England. She later nicknamed him “The Cranberry King of New Jersey.”